If you want your car to have that signature shine, you need the right car wax to put it over the top. But while there are tons of car waxes on the market today, not all of them deliver.
It’s a frustrating experience when you devote a ton of time waxing your car only to find out that the wax you’re using won’t do what you want. We understand the frustration, and it’s why we wanted to highlight some of the best options out there.
There are in-depth reviews for each one and a comprehensive buyer’s guide so you can get the perfect car wax for your vehicle the first time.
Disclaimer – This article may contain affiliate links, which means that at no cost to you, we may receive a small commission for qualifying purchases.
Best Overall
Turtle Wax Hybrid
- Great mix of price and quality
- Easy to use
- Lasts up to 12 months
Premium Choice
Migliore Primo
- Fast drying time
- Provides a ton of shine
- Long-lasting
Best Budget
Adam’s Spray Wax
- Affordably priced
- Bulk Purchase Available
- Easy to use
10 Best Car Waxes
Before we dive too far into everything else you should know about car waxes we wanted to highlight the ten best car waxes on the market today. That way if you already have a general idea of what you’re looking for, you can read the reviews, pick out the perfect wax for your car, and move on with your day!
1. Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Pro Flex – Best Car Wax Overall
- Style: Spray
- Size: 23 ounces
- Cure Time: 24 hours
Turtle Wax is a huge name in the industry and they make tons of different wax products. But if you’re looking for the best wax product for your car, then it’s their Hybrid Solutions Pro Flex formula. It’s an outstanding mix of price and quality, and its spray-on design makes it easy to use.
Not only does this wax protect your vehicle from UV rays, salt, and other environmental hazards, but it also gives your car a great shine. But what really sets Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Pro Flex apart is the fact that it provides coverage and protection for a full 12 months!
That means you don’t need to apply as often, making it a great choice for everyday protection without adding a ton to your to-do list.
However, while we love this wax solution for most vehicles, it is worth noting that it has a longer drying time. After you apply it you want to give it a full 24 hours to set and dry before you start driving it around. Just ensure you don’t have to move your vehicle for a while before you take the time to put on this wax!
Pros
- Great mix of price and quality
- Easy to use
- It lasts up to 12 months
- Protects and shines
Cons
- Longer drying time
2. Adam’s Spray Wax – Best Budget
- Style: Spray
- Size: 16 ounces
- Cure Time: 24 hours
If you’re on a tighter budget but still want a great wax for your vehicle, then Adam’s Spray Wax is the way to go. It’s a more affordably priced option and you can either purchase a 16-ounce spray bottle or purchase an entire gallon of the stuff if you want to save a little more per ounce.
Just like other spray waxes Adam’s Spray Wax is easy to apply and use, but it’s like our top choice in that it takes a full 24 hours to set and dry thoroughly. During this time it’s best not to drive your vehicle anywhere as it can introduce contaminants into the wax while it’s setting.
Adam’s Spray Wax is safe to use around all car parts, including plastics and glass. However, while this product is pretty similar to our top choice, it does differ in one key area –longevity. You’re not spending as much for it, but you’ll also need to reapply it more frequently.
This will give your vehicle a deeper shine after each application, but it’s a bit more work, especially considering you shouldn’t drive your vehicle for 24 hours after using it. But at this price point, it’s hard to find a better option out there.
Pros
- Affordably priced
- You can purchase in bulk
- Easy to use
- Works on all car parts
Cons
- Longer drying time
- Not the longest lasting
3. Migliore Primo – Premium Choice
- Style: Paste
- Size: 6.3 ounces
- Cure Time: 5 to 10 minutes
If you’re taking your vehicle to a car show, you want the best product available to really make your car pop. If that sounds like you, then Migliore Primo is what you want. It’s by far the most expensive option on our list, but it’s also going to make your vehicle shine like no other product can.
It uses a paste-style wax, which can require a bit more to put on your vehicle but it’s still pretty easy to use overall. It’s also safe on all the parts of your car, but because of the higher price, we wouldn’t recommend wasting any of the stuff.
Helping to offset the cost is the fact that this wax lasts a long time, but it’s really better suited for showroom use. It’ll protect your car, but it’s geared more toward making your car shine and stand out.
If you’re trying to get some extra eyes on your car at the next meet or show, Migliore Primo is as good as it gets. Just be ready to spend quite a bit to get the stuff.
Pros
- Fast drying time
- Safe on all car parts
- Easy to use
- Provides a ton of shine
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Very expensive
4. Mother’s Complete Ultimate Wax System – Best Complete Kit
- Style: Spray
- Size: Three 16-ounce bottles
- Cure Time: 1 hour
Some companies claim that their one product can do it all, but don’t buy into the hype. Products that claim to do it all tend to do a subpar job at everything. Use individual products for specific parts of the job and you’ll get much better results.
And that’s why going with something like Mother’s Complete Ultimate Wax System is such a good deal. It’s three different products, a pure polish, a micro-polishing glaze, and a pure Brazilian Carnauba wax. And while it’s certainly going to require a bit more work than a single product, it will also give you superior results.
This guide takes all the guesswork out of what you need before you start waxing your vehicle, giving you everything you need to get a professional quality wax on your vehicle. And while this kit is a little more expensive compared to individual waxes, since you’re getting a 3-pack, it’s really a great deal at an affordable price.
Just know that while this is a complete wax kit, you’ll still need your own microfiber cloths and cleaning materials for your car to get the perfect finish.
Pros
- Complete kit provides phenomenal results
- Step-by-step polishing and waxing
- Affordably priced
- Outstanding finish
Cons
- You need more than one product
- It requires a bit more work
5. Meguiar’s G210516 Ultimate Liquid Wax
- Style: Liquid
- Size: 8, 16, 24, or 32 ounces
- Cure Time: 5 to 10 minutes
Meguiar’s is another big name in the car care industry, and they make lots of different wax products you can use on your vehicle. But if you’re looking for one of their easiest-to-use and most effective options, their G210516 Ultimate Liquid Wax is a great choice.
It has a lightning-fast drying time, allowing you to wax your vehicle and then drive it just a few minutes after finishing! It’s also easy to apply, and with four different size options available, you can order exactly what you need for your garage.
It’s not the most expensive or the most affordable product on the market today, but instead it strikes a great balance between price and quality. But while there’s a lot to love about Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax, it’s far from perfect.
The first issue is that while it delivers decent results for everyday use, it’s not show car quality results. The second issue is that it doesn’t last the longest. If you want to keep up with all the protective benefits and the shine that this wax offers, you’ll need to reapply it more frequently than other options on our list.
Pros
- Great mix of price and quality
- Tons of size options are available
- Fast drying time
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Not the longest lasting
- Not car-show quality results
6. Griot’s Garage 11029 Premium Carnauba Paste Wax
- Style: Paste
- Size: 12 ounces
- Cure Time: 3 to 5 minutes
Griot’s Garage 11029 Premium Carnauba Paste Wax is another car-show quality car wax you can use on your vehicle. It has a faster drying time, lasts a long time, and provides a ton of protection for your vehicle.
When you use it properly it also provides a great shine, but it’s not quite as bright and clear as Migliore Primo. But while it’s not quite that quality of results, it also doesn’t cost quite that much. It’s still expensive compared to other car waxes on our list, but it also delivers better quality results.
It’s a good enough wax for most car shows or meets, but it’s not the absolute best of the best. It’s up to you if you want to spend more to get the best product on the market today or if you’re all right with good enough and want to save yourself a little money.
There’s really no wrong choice here, and you’ll still get an eye-popping finish with Griot’s Garage Premium Carnauba Paste Wax.
Pros
- Fast drying time
- Easy to use
- It lasts a long time
- It provides lots of protection
Cons
- More expensive option
7. Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax
- Style: Liquid
- Size: 16 ounces
- Cure Time: 3 to 5 minutes
Chemical Guy’s makes a ton of great car care products for daily drivers and show cars, and their Butter Wet Wax is another outstanding product.
Compared to many of the other waxes that made our list, it’s available for an affordable price, and if you want to save a little more money per ounce and you plan on using a lot of it you can buy it a gallon at a time.
But while many of the waxes on our list cater to car shows and meet-ups, Chemical Guy’s Butter Wet Wax is better suited for cars you plan on driving every day. That’s because while it does provide a shine, the shine doesn’t last quite as long as other products.
But on the other hand, the protective qualities of this wax last quite a long time. That makes it a great choice when you’re trying to protect your car’s paint from UV rays, salt, and other chemicals on the roadway.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Affordably priced
- Outstanding protection qualities
- You can purchase in bulk
Cons
- Not the longest-lasting shine
8. Collinite 476s Super DoubleCoat Paste Wax
- Style: Paste
- Size: 9 ounces
- Cure Time: 30 minutes
Most paste waxes focus on the shine quality they produce and work great for show cars. That’s not the case with Collinite 476s Super DoubleCoat Paste Wax. While it does apply a little bit of shine, this is a more functional car wax in the way it protects your car.
It provides long-lasting protection from UV rays and other road chemicals and hazards, giving the paint and clearcoat on your vehicle an extra layer of protection. Collinite is safe on all car parts too, so you don’t need to take any extra precautions when using it.
And while Collinite won’t give your car the same level of shine as the other paste waxes on our list, it doesn’t cost nearly as much either. It’s an excellent option for daily drivers, and it’ll provide your vehicle with all the protection it needs without costing you an arm and a leg.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Affordably priced
- Long-lasting protection
- Safe on all car parts
Cons
- It doesn’t provide the best shine
9. Meguiar’s G7014J Gold Class Carnauba Plus Premium Paste Wax
- Style: Paste
- Size: 11, 16, or 24 ounces
- Cure Time: 3 to 5 minutes
While Collinite is more for protecting your car, Meguiar’s G7014J Gold Class Carnauba Plus Premium Paste Wax is all about the looks. It provides a great long-lasting that makes it great for shows or just showing off your car!
However, while it does provide UV protection and some protection from road hazards, it’s not nearly as effective as some other waxes. Of course, the primary tradeoff for all this is the price. This is the lowest-priced paste wax on our list, and that’s a pretty big perk if you’re just looking for something to give your vehicle a bit of a shine.
Meguiar’s Gold Class Carnauba Plus Premium is just as easy to apply as any other paste wax on our list, but it doesn’t last quite as long. It’s not a bad choice if you just want a bit of shine, just know what you’re getting and go with another option if you want a little more protection and durability.
Pros
- Affordably priced
- Multiple size options are available
- Provides a great shine
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Not the longest lasting
- It doesn’t provide the best protection
10. Nu Finish Liquid Finish
- Style: Liquid
- Size: 11 ounces
- Cure Time: 2 hours
Nu Finish Liquid Finish is the lowest-cost option on our list, but there’s a reason it fell to the last spot despite the lower price. While it’s easy to apply and provides plenty of UV protection, it’s simply not the best wax out there.
It provides some protection but not the same level as other waxes higher up the list. Moreover, it doesn’t provide the same level of shine that you get with other waxes, even those specializing more in protection.
If you’re on a tighter budget and simply want some protection, this wax is better than nothing, but if you can afford an option higher on our list that’s what we recommend you go with. You could do worse than this wax for sure, but you can also do a lot better.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Easy to apply
- Provides UV protection
Cons
- Not the best wax
- Doesn’t provide the best shine
Car Wax Buyer’s Guide
With so many great car waxes out there, it’s only natural to have a few questions about what you’re looking at and which one is right for your vehicle. That’s why we came up with this buyer’s guide that will walk you through everything you need to know when picking out a wax for your car.
Not only that, but we’ll give you some great tips on how to wax your car like a pro after you get the right product!
Why You Should Wax Your Car
Before you head out and purchase wax for your car it’s a good idea to know why you should do it in the first place. There are two main reasons you should frequently wax your vehicle. First, it gives it a signature shine that just looks great.
But while that’s enough of a reason for many car enthusiasts, even if you don’t care all that much about how your car looks you should wax it. The reason is that vehicle wax protects your vehicle.
Wax does this in a few different ways. First, it protects the paint from UVA and UVB rays, which causes the paint to lose its color over time. Second, wax acts as a protective layer for the clear coat and paint, making it less likely that rocks from the road will fly up and chip the paint.
Not only that, but materials like salt on the road or in the air have another layer they must push through before they can get to the clear coat and paint and start eating it away. Keeping up with frequent waxing of your vehicle is one of the best things you can do to keep your vehicle in pristine condition.
How Often Should You Wax Your Car?
It really depends on what kind of wax you go with, but as a general rule you should wax your vehicle about once every three months. This ensures the protection doesn’t fade before you put on the next application.
You should also wax your vehicle after any thorough wash, as often the washing will clean off any of the wax that was on your vehicle. But keep in mind that driving conditions can affect how long your wax lasts.
If you don’t drive your car for three months and keep it in the garage, there’s a good chance you don’t need to wax it again!
Spray vs Liquid vs Paste
When you’re looking at car waxes there are a few different types for you to consider, and they all have their own advantages and disadvantages. Spray waxes are by far the easiest to use. They come in a spray bottle and depending on the specific wax you either spray them directly on your vehicle or on your microfiber cloth.
Spray waxes are quick and easy to apply, but it is worth noting that they usually don’t last as long as liquid or paste waxes. You might save a little time and energy upfront, but since you’ll need to reapply it more frequently you might end up doing more work overall.
Liquid waxes are often extremely similar to spray waxes, and sometimes you can even put them in a spray bottle! However, some liquid waxes are thicker than spray waxes, and in these cases you always need to apply them to a microfiber cloth instead of directly spraying it onto your vehicle.
Because of this there’s a pretty large difference in the overall quality of liquid waxes. If you’re looking for the best results you typically want a thicker liquid wax, but those are also a little more challenging to apply.
Furthermore, spray waxes tend to be the easiest to use, but they don’t always apply a thick enough coat of wax, and sometimes you need to complete a second or third layer to get the desired results. Thicker liquid waxes are a little bit better, but they’re still not quite as effective as paste wax.
Paste wax is extremely thick, and usually it’ll come in a container instead of a bottle. Paste wax requires you to use a microfiber cloth and preferably a buffing device to use it properly, but it’ll also give you the best quality result.
And while it’s certainly more work to use a paste wax compared to a liquid wax or a spray wax, if you use a high-quality product like the ones we highlighted on our list, they’re still not all that hard to use.
When it comes to spray, liquid, and paste waxes there’s really no wrong choice. Sure spray waxes don’t last as long, but they typically don’t cost as much and they don’t take as long to apply either. Meanwhile, paste waxes will give you superior results, but you’ll spend more upfront and it will take longer to apply.
Pick what’s right for you and with any of the waxes on our list we’re confident you’ll love the results!
Tips for Waxing Your Vehicle
No matter what product you use, if you don’t follow the right steps when you wax your vehicle you can end up doing more damage than good. That’s why we wanted to take the time to walk you through some of the most essential tips for when you’re waxing your vehicle.
If you follow these tips and the instructions on whatever wax product you go with, you can get professional quality results right at home!
1. Use the Right Wax
This is a huge part of getting the final appearance you want. Fortunately, you’re in the right place to find the right wax to use on your vehicle. Read through the reviews and find a product that sounds like what you’re looking for.
Decide if you really want the shine, the protection, or both, then find a wax that fits your budget. If you go with any of the waxes on our list you should love the results!
2. Wash Your Vehicle First
When you put a wax on your vehicle you’re trapping in anything that’s already on your vehicle. You want to have a clean-looking car, so you should always take the time to wash your vehicle before you start applying the wax.
Not only will it make a big difference in the final appearance, but it’ll allow the wax to go on easier and last longer.
3. Let It Dry
After you wash your vehicle, you can’t just slap the wax on there and hope for the best. You also need to take the time to let your vehicle dry, or you need to dry it off yourself with a microfiber cloth.
Otherwise, the water will bead up and prevent the wax from applying effectively. Not only will you need to use more wax to get the desired results, but it won’t bond as well and won’t last as long if you don’t take the time to dry off your vehicle first.
4. Pick the Right Location
Just as important as picking the right wax for your vehicle is picking the right location to put it on. Ideally, an indoor area is the way to go, as this prevents the wind from sending in any dirt, pollen, or other contaminants into the wax as you apply it and it dries.
If you can’t find an indoor location at least try to pick a sunny day with little wind and try to find an area away from areas with lots of potential contaminants.
5. Use Microfiber Cloths
Any time you’re drying your vehicle, putting on wax, or otherwise messing with the paint and clearcoat in any way, only use microfiber cloths. Any other cloth type can scratch the paint and leave your car looking worse than when you started.
Moreover, when you’re washing your microfiber cloth only wash them with other microfiber cloths, otherwise you can end up ruining them and creating even more problems.
6. Use a Random Orbital Buffer
While you don’t need to use a random orbital buffer when waxing your car, you’re going to get better results with less work if you do. They provide hundreds of rotations per minute, which you can’t do by hand.
The professionals use a random orbital buffer for a reason, and if you want to replicate their results, you should too.
7. Use Smaller Tools
You want to use a random orbital buffer for larger areas of your vehicle, but when you’re trying to get into smaller corners and trim areas, use a soft brush to apply the wax. You can’t rush the process, and smaller tools give you a more consistent and even coverage in areas where the larger random orbital buffer can’t reach.
8. Take Your Time
Don’t start a job you don’t have the time to finish, and it should take you a few hours to wash, dry, wax, and dry your car. You don’t want to rush through the process or else you won’t love the final results.
Take your time when waxing your vehicle and work a section at a time, getting it absolutely perfect before moving on to the next section. Too many people get all the right products and do all the right things but don’t put in enough time to get the desired results.
9. Let It Dry
Always read the instructions that come with the wax you’re putting on your vehicle and give the wax plenty of time to dry before you hit the road. If the wax is even a little wet when you start driving it’ll pick up everything you drive through, absolutely ruining the final appearance.
Giving the wax a little extra time to dry will go a long way in ensuring it lasts and that you don’t ruin all your hard work right away.
Is ceramic coating better than wax?
Ceramic coating is usually more durable than car wax. Waxing your car is a great way to protect its finish, but over time the wax will begin to wear away, and your car will be exposed to the elements. Ceramic coating forms a much harder barrier that lasts much longer than wax. However, you can both wax your car and add ceramic coating afterward for the best results.
Which car wax do professionals use?
Professional detailers use many different types of car waxes, but usually high-quality ones. The Migliore Primo wax here in the list of the best car waxes is one of the wax brands that professionals use.
Which is better liquid or paste car wax?
Generally speaking, liquid car waxes are a bit easier to apply and buff off than paste waxes, but they don’t last as long. Paste waxes on the other hand tend to last a bit longer but can be more difficult to apply.
Is it better to wax or polish a car?
It depends on the condition of the car’s paint. If the paint is in good condition, waxing will give it a good shine and protect it. If the paintwork is in poor condition, just waxing the car will not give you good results without a good polish first.
If you haven’t taken the time to wax your vehicle recently, you should. Not only does a car wax make your vehicle look great, but it actually protects your vehicle and will keep it looking new longer.
Don’t put it off any longer, get a great wax on order, and the next time you have a few hours to spend with your car, go ahead and get it shiny and looking like new!
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Categories: Cleaning & Detailing, Reviews
